Dems Propose to Make Police Permanent Residents of Troubled Neighborhoods

The City County Council Democrats are proposing repairs to abandoned houses in troubled areas to be occupied by police officers who would have the option of buying them at market rate, after living there for two years rent-free.

Councilman John Barth says the intent would be to increase police presence in those neighborhoods, while restoring the properties to the tax rolls. Barth anticipates an initial investment of about a million dollars. He says the program would pay for itself eventually through the sale of the homes.

The money would come from funds remaining in the first phase of Mayor Greg Ballard's Rebuild Indy program. Five houses would be targeted for a pilot project in the Mapleton-Fall Creek area.

Mayor Ballard's Chief of Staff Ryan Vaughn responds with a call for change in the state law that allows officers to live outside the city limits. Vaughn says that would affect more officers and return the taxes they pay to the city that pays their salaries.